Clay disintegrator



June 2, 1931.

T. c. PROUTY ET AL CLAY DISINTEGRATQR Filed June 20, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORN EY June 2, 1931. T. c. PROUTY ET AL CLAY DISINTEGRATOR Filed June 20. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tm; i

Jam M ATTORNEY June 1931- i c. PRouTY ET AL 1,308,509

CLAY DISINTEGRATOR Filed'June 2 0, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE rnonom: O. atom AND WILLIS O. PBOU'I'Y, OI HERIOBA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AL BIG-I038 1'0 mum UGAUSTIC TILING COIPANY, LTD, OI NEW YORK, I. Y.

A. CORPORATION 01' m YORK cnax msmmena'roa Application filed June 80,

| industrial arts such as ceramics and ceramic products.

The object is to mechanically reduce raw material, such as clay, to a finely divided condition, in the course of which there is a twostage mechanical reduction coupled with the exposure of the material at the second stage to the action of a plurality of air currents, one of which air currents is generated within the mass itself of the divided material, and

the other of which air currents acts upon the material to aid and assist in the expulsion of the material from the reducing mechanism, and also for efiecting the delivery of the divided material to an appropriate separating mechanism.

The disintegrator embodies an initial crushing mechanism in the form of 00-0 erating rolls and a pin-reduction mechanism, the two said mechanisms being preferably operated by independent drivin means to impart different speeds to sai mechanisms, whereby the initial crushing mechanism is actuated at relatively slow speed and the pinreduction mechanism is operated at higher speed. In contradistinction to prior pin-reduction mechanisms operating in vertical planes, the pin-reduction mechanism of this invention is positioned for operation in a horizontal plane, and such pin-reduction mechanism is associated direct] with the initial crushing mechanism for t e flow of the material from the latter directly to the horizontally acting reduction mechanism. The two-stage reduction of the material is carried out at the first stage of the action of the relatively slow crushing rolls and at the second stage by the action of the high speed reduction mechanism, the latter performing the additional function of dischargingthe pulverulent material artly by centrifugal action and partly by t e agency of a plurality of air currents generated by the high speed components of the said reduction mechanism.

The pin-reduction mechanism of this invention includes, generally speaking, a station- 1988. Serial No. 888,786.

ary carrier with a plurality of series of stationary members termed pins, and a rotary carrier with :dplurality of series of rotary members term pins, said stationarypins and said rotary pins being disposed in alternateorder, and said carriers and pins being positioned for service in a horizontal plane, with rovision for feeding by gravity the artia y reduced material, crushed initially the rolls, to said pin reduction mechanism su stantially axially thereof, and the said rotary carrier with the pins thereof being driven at relatively high speed, whereby the rotary pins 00- acting with the stationary pins operate upon the material to perform the second stage reduction and the speed of the rotary carrier and its pins impart a centrifugal motion to the material and such speedil moving carrier and pins generate an air ow within the material mass, with the result that the material is subjected to a centrifugal motion for feeding the material out through an outlet disposed tangentially to the circular chamber within which the reduction mechanism is housed orencased.

An essentially new feature of this invention is the provision of a blower associated directly with the rapidly rotating carrier and its pins, together with means for the substantially unobstructed inflow of air into the treating chamber for the material, said blower setting up the flow of air within said chamber in a manner to carry off the pulverulent material and to deliver the said material through the tangential outlet, whereby the energy of the air blast or current is availed of for the double function of efleoting the ex ulsion, of the pulverulent material from t e disintegrating mechanism and for carrying such material to a grading and separating mechanism, the same constituting the subject-matter of a separate application filed J une 20, 1928, Serial No. 286,735.

A further improvement in the pin reduction mechanism consists of a series of baflies on the stationary carrier and a series of baffles on the rotary carrier, said baflies being so positioned as to feed the material into the paths of the pins on the rotary carrier and thereby preclude the lodgment or massing of material in the spaces intervening the stationary pins and the rotary pins.

Another feature consists of a valve in the tangential outlet for regulating the outflow of the air current with the pulverulent material, thus making rovision for throttling the' air flow with the material to be dischar ed.

Ot er functions and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the following descriptlon taken in connection with the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in elevation partly broken away and in section illustrating a" two-stage disintegrating mechanism embodying this invention.

' Figures 2 and 3 are horizontal sectional plan views in the planes of the dotted lines 2-2 and 3-3, respectively of Figure 1.

Figure 4: is a plan view of the inltial crushing mechanism showing the speed reduction drive therefor, and

Figure 5 is an elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 4.

The framework for supporting the pinreduction mechanism A and the imtial crushing mechanism B may be of any usual or preferred construction, but as shown in the drawings, and more particularly in Figure 1, this framework includes a base a, a casing a I chambered casting C, and a hoppershape casing 12. The base a is positioned horlzontally to rest upon a flooror foundation, and upon said base is imposed the easing a for the motor drive D, associated with the hi h-s pin-reduction mechanism A. The cfiam red casting C is imposed upon the casing a, and u on this casting there is in turn imposed t e hopper-shaped casing 6, the several parts bein thus assembled and joined to produce a su ntial framework for the 0 rating mechanisms, A, -B.

Said casting 8 comprises a horizontal bottom member a, and an annular casing member 0', together with an outlet E, the walls of which are tangential to the circular casing a, see Figures 2 and 3. At the top of the annular casing member 0' is a flange c, rebated at a for seating a top plate C, and in this top plate C is a feed opening E positioned substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the high speed components of the pin-reduction mechanism A. The top plate C is stationary on the casing C, and said top plate constitutes an element of the stationary carrier for the circular rows of stationary pins to be hereafter described.

F is the vertically positioned shaft extending centrally within the casing c, and rising from the base a to and through the bottom plate 0 of casting C. This shaft is stepped at Its lower end in a bearing f provided on the base a, and near its upper end said shaft passes through and is carried in another bearing f, the latter being supported by the bottom plate 0 of casting C, the two said bearings f, f, being in vertical alinement and each being of any approved form, such as roller bearings shown in Figure 1. The upper part of the shaft is reduced in diameter to provide a shoulder f and said upper extremity of the shaft has a male thread at f, with which engages a female threaded cap F.

G is a hub fitted on the shaft F above the bearing f, said hub enga 'ng with the shoulder f and being engage by the cap F, the shaft and the hub being locked together by appropriate means such as the usual key to insure the fixedf attachment of the hub to the shaft. Said hub is provided intermediate its ends with a horizontal collar g, and upon this collar rests and is secured a horizontal disk H, the latter constituting a component of the rotary carrier for the rotary pins and functioning as a member of air blowing means by which air currents are generated .Within the chamber of casting C. The disk extends horizontally within said chamber, and is in the path of'the material flowing by gravity from the crushing mechanism, through opening E in the top plate, whereby the material lodges upon the disk and by reason of the rapid rotation of said disk and the pins associated therewith, the material is sub ected to centrifugal action, impelling it between the stationary pins and the rotary The disk H carries a plurality of series of rotary pins I, four series of such pins being shown, and there being a desired number of pins in each series, see Figure 2. The pins of each series are in a circular row, and they extend upwardly from said disk to which the pins are fixedly attached in a desired manner, the upper ends of which said pins I in each circular row being attached to a ring I, there being four rings, one to each row. The disk H and rings I constitute the carrier for the four series of rotary pins, but, obviously, the number of rows of pins I and the number of rings I may be varied according to the capacity of the machine for treating the material. The innermost circular row of the rotary pins I are adjacent the vertical plane of the feed inlet E, and the material flowing downwardly through said inlet is caught by the rapidly rotating disk H and pins I, being subjected to centrifugal action for effecting the feed of such material in an outward direction between the circular rows of ins.

Coacting with the rows of rotary pms are other rows of stationary pins J, there being a plurality of rows of stationar pins and there being a desired number of pms in each row. The stationary pins are in circular rows, and they are in alterate relation to the rotary pins I, as shown in Figure 2. Pins J are positioned vertically, their u per ends being fixedly attached to the top p ate C, whereas their lower ends are secured to stationary ri J there being three circular rows of station pins J and there being three rings J, one or each circular row of stationary ins, althou h the number of circular rows and rings l' may be chan%d as required. The rows of stationary pins extend downwardly from the top late, and the rings J associated with pins f are in a spaced relation to the rotary disk H so as to provide the desired clearance. Said top plate C and rings J constitute the carrier for the circular rows of stationary pins, for holding said pins securel in the required positions with respect to t e rapidly rotating disk H and rows of pins I, the circular rings J actin as sta s for the lower ends of the pins depending from the stationary top plate C. The circular rows of pins I rotate between the circular rows of stationary pins J, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 2, and the riaxpid rotation of the disk H and of the circ ar rows of pins I generate within the mass of pulverulent material a current of air which in conjunction with the centrifugal force applied to the material by the rapid rotation of said disk H and pins I so acts on the material supplied through the axially sitioned inlet E that the material is fed in a direction from the axis of rotation toward the surface of the annular casing c, and during such feeding action of the material, the stationary rows of stationary pins J coact with the circular rows of rotating pins I that the material is subjected to a further reduction, the eifect of which is to produce material in a finely divided and dry condition available for use in the production of ceramic articles, such as tiles for floors and walls, spark plu panels, and a large variety of ceramic pr ucts.

K, L, designate two series of bafiies positioned in the path of the outward movement of the pulverulent material between the rows of pins I, J. The ba-files K are provided at intervals on the up or face of the rotary disk H and are inclined in a direction upwardl and outwardly toward casing c, said ba fies being in the spaces between the rotary pins of one of the rows I. The other series of baflles L are attached to the stationar top plate C in a depending position with respect to it, and these baflles are in the spaces between the stationar pins of one of the circular rows J. The bul es L are inclined downwardly from the top plate and in a direction outwardly toward the casing c. The baffles K of the series on the rotar disk H assist in imparting an outward motion to the material, and due to the inclination of said baffles K, L, the material having a tendency to accumulate in an unobstructed path between the supporting rings and the revolving disk is directed into the path of the rotary pins I.

Provision is made for the generation of an material through the outlet E.

air current within the chamber of casting C by the use of a fan or blower on the rotary disk H, and for the free inflow of atmos heme air from below the two ups of pins FJ.

The bottom plate a of t he castin is shown as provided on its upper face Wifil a series of radial ribs m extending from a central boss m to the casing c, and between these radial ribs are air channels M, the latter havmg free communication with air inlets m provided in the casing 0', see Figures 1 and 3. Above the ribbed surface of the bottom plate a is a horizontal baflle plate N, secured in a fixed sition within the casi c, and in the mid le part of this horizonta baille is an o ning n communicating with the radial air 0 annels M. The baflle plate N separates the air channels M from the chamber of casing 0' except for the inlet to said chamber provided by the central opening n.

The rotary disk H is provided on the under side thereof with a series of blades or wings O constituti a fan or blower which is rotary with the gisk H, said fan blades bein suitably attached to the disk and depen mg therefrom into the chamber provided between the bafiie plate N and the top plate 0. The rotary motion of the fan generates a current of air within the treating chamber. The air flows through the inlets m thence through the radial channels M, the opening n, and thence into the chamber, whereby the air is blown through said chamber of easing c for carrying the ulverulent he energy of the air current is utilized for conveying the purverulent material to and within appropriate collecting and separating means, such as a cyclone separator. The fan blades 0 are of any suitable form, arranged in a desired manner on the under side of disk H, and the required number being employed to attain the required capacity as to volume and velocity.

A valve or shutter P is associated with the outlet E for controlling the outflow of the air current and the pulverulent material. As shown, this valve is hung in the outlet by a rod 12, one end of which protrudes beyond the outlet and is provided with appropriate operating means, such as a crank 12'.

The motor drive D for the vertical shaft F includes a motor 11 supported within a chamber of the casing a, Figure 1. On the shaft of this motor is a pu'lle d with which engages a belt (1 positions for imparting motion to a smaller pulley d on the shaft F, near the lower end thereof; thus the motor and the shaft are operatively connected b speed gear mechanism for pro lling the disk H, with the rotary pins and t e fan, at a desired high speed.

Mechanism B is in the form of a roll crusher for reducing the raw crude cla the latter being usually in a chunky con ition,

and supplied in a desired way to the hopper casing b. Within the hopper casing are co-operating rolls Q, R, the shafts g, r, of

which extend through the casing 6. Roll shaft 9 is mounted in fixed bearings and it is rovided at one end with a sprocket gear g. e shaft 1' of roll R is supported in appropriate bearings provided on a pair of lever arms S, S, the latter being vertically positioned on the outside of the hopper-casing. Said roll shaft 7' is a sprocket gear 1* disposed in alinement with the gear 9', and co-operating with said gears q, 7", is a sprocket chain t driven from a gear 23' of a speed reduction unit T, the latter being driven by a belt if from motor T, see Figures 1, 4 and 5. The lever arms S, S, are ivoted at their upper ends by bolts 8 to the hopper-casing b, and said arms are provided at their lower ends with slots 8', through which pass the bolts 8 adapted for firmly holding the lever arms in adjusted positlons, said lever arms being movable back or forth to provide for an adjustment of roll R with respect to roll Q and to provide, also, for taking u slack in the driving sprocket chain It, as wi 1 be readily understood.

The operation'will be readily understood from the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings. The material to be treated is fed into the crushing mechanism and subjected to the action of the slowly rotating rolls Q, R, and thence passes through the feed inlet E and lodges upon the speedily rotating disk H. The disk and pins I impart centrifugal motion to the material for directing the material outwardly and in the direction of rotation, said material being prevented from taking a direct outward course by the rebuff action applied by the stationary pins J, and as a result of the coaction of the pins I, J, there is an exceptionally effective disintegration of the material. The baflles K, L, act on some of the material traveling in unobstructed paths existing between the carrier rings and the revolving disks to be directed into the paths of the speedily rotating pins. The finely powdered material thrown from the periphery of the revolving disk is blown around the circular wall of the casing 0', due to the currents of air created by the rapidly rotating disk, the rotary pins, and the fan, and such air currents pick up and carry the powdered material through the outlet E, and thence to appropriate separating mechanism.

It will be noted that the second stage reducing mechanism operates in a chamber which is divided, in a sense, by the disk H to produce two compartments, in the upper of which operate the rotary pins to reduce the material at the second stage, and in the lower one of which operates the blower, said lower compartment being free from obstruction. The blower is supplied with air whichrovided at one end with flows freel through inlets m and radial channels of air sup lied to the fan and such inflow of air is uno structed by the presence of material or by operating parts. The rotary carrier H and rotary pins I are driven at high speed, and act, primarily, to impart centrifugal motion to the material flowing by gravity through the axial feed inlet E and, secondarily, the air flowing downwardl with the material through said inlet E is driven or impelled by the rotary pins and of the disk so that the inflowing air is set in motion out= wardly from the plane of the inlet to and within the pulverized material thrown centrifugally toward the casing c.

Having thus fully described the invention,

a what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a disintegrator, a chamber provided with an axial inlet for material, a rotary member therein, concentric rows of stationary pins, other concentric rows of rotary pins carried by said rotary member, and inclined bafiies in the intervals between pins of the stationary series and of the rotary series.

2. In a disintegrator, a chamber provided with an axial inlet for material, a rotary member therein, a stationary member having concentric rows of pins, other concentric rows of pins carried on one side of said rotary member and cooperating with the first named pins to disintegrate material, and inclined baflles carried by the stationary member and the rotary member in the space therebetween whereby to prevent the accumulation of material in the disintegrator.

3. In a disintegrator, a chamber provided with an axial inlet for material, a rotary member therein, a stationary member having concentric rows of pins, other concentric rows of pins carried on one side of said rotary member and cooperating with the first named pins to disintegrate material, inclined baflles carried by the stationary member and the rotary member in the space therebetween whereby to prevent the accumulation of material in the disintegrator, and fins or blades carried by the other side of said rotary member to form a blower for generating a current of air when said rotary member is in operation.

4. In a disintegrating chamber, reducing mechanism therein including a rotary member, a blower on said member for generating a current of air concurrently with the reduction of the material, a bafile plate above the base of the chamber and provided with openings, radial ribs dividing the space beneath the baflle plate into sector-like portions, said chamber being provided with air inlets which are adapted to co-operate with the openings in the 'bafile plate and the ribs to form conduits or channels for supplying air to the blower.

5. In a disintegrator, a chamber, a stationso that there is an abundance ary plate therein, pins projecting therefrom,

means associated with the outer ends of said impart motion centrifically to material exposed to the action of the pins, said rotary plate being provided with plates or this for generatin a current of air concurrently with the reduction of material, a baflie plate above the base of the chamber and provided with openings, said chamber being provided with air inlets which co-operate with the openings in the baflie plate to permit the ingress of air.

6. In a disintegrating device, a chamber provided with an axial inlet for material, a rotary member therein, a stationary member having concentric rows of pins, other concentric rows of pins carried on one side of said rotary member and co-operating with the first named pins to disintegrate material, and an inclined bafiie mounted on one of said members in the space therebetween, whereby to prevent the accumulation of material in the disintegrator.

7. In a disintegrator, a chamber, reducing mechanism therein, including a rotary member, a blower on said member for generating a current of air concurrently with the reduction of the material, a baflie plate above the base of the chamber and provided with an opening near the center of said chamber, radial ribs dividing the space beneath the bafiie plate into sector-like portions, said chamber ing provided with air inlets which are adapted to co-operate with the opening in the bafile plate and the ribs to form conduits or channels for snpplyin air to the blower.

In testimony whereo we have hereto signed our names this 9th day of June, 1928.

THEODORE G. PROUTY. WILLIS O. PROUTY. 

